Professional Pilot, March 2016

to replace traditional helicopters for the support role Sikorsky S92 has been selected as the new Marine One With the Bell Boeing MV22 Osprey firmly in place replacing the recognizable Sikorsky VH3D and VH60N Presidential helicopters has proven to be a difficult task In January 2005 the winner of the VXX program was the VH71 or US101 a 3 engine derivative of the AgustaWestland EH101 used at that time by the British Royal Navy But due to a myriad of reasons including cost overruns exceeding 12 billion time delivery extension etc the VH71 program was cancelled and the search for a new helicopter resumed During the new go around Sikorsky put forth its S92 again and won the contract to replace the VH3D and VH60N In December 2014 only 7 months after the contract was awarded the future Presidential helicopter flew for the 1st time The S92 was flown to a Lockheed Martin facility in New York to begin its transformation into 86 PROFESSIONAL PILOT March 2016 Bell Boeing V22 Ospreys replaced the CH46E Phrogs in 2013 The Osprey brings unparalleled capabilities to HMX 1 with a top speed of 280 KIAS a service ceiling of 25000 ft and inflight refueling to lengthen its reach Left photo shows the Ospreys integrated avionics and glass displays a VH92A There it will receive all the requisite bumps bulges and antennas befitting a Presidential helicopter and it will also undergo systems integration testing to ensure everything works in harmony to provide the communication and protection capabilities that a Presidential aircraft requires More than 20 Sikorsky VH92s will replace both the VH3 and VH60 aircraft at Quantico by 2022 providing 21st century capabilities and standup cabin comfort The current fleet of VH3Ds has been in service since 1974 and VH60s have been operational since 1989 Increased speed and better operational capability will be welcome improvements for HMX 1 crew members one they look forward to with great anticipation When the aircraft procurements are complete HMX 1 will have only 2 airframes in their inventory the Sikorsky VH92 and the Bell Boeing MV22 Osprey Pilots flying HMX 1 Experienced Marine pilots meeting the strict requirements of the Corps and a desire to fly their Commander in Chief apply annually to HMX 1 for the few coveted spots If selected the Marines experience background and service is put through a microscopic review It can take up to a year to be allowed close proximity to the President in Marine One Every July the Marines issue a MARADMIN announcing the selection board and application requirements for those hoping to eventually be PIC for Marine One aircraft It goes without saying that a completely blemish free career to that point is a requirement to make it through the excruciating selection process Approximately 30 to 40 pilots apply every year and an average of only 11 or 12 make the cut Typically it is a 4 year assignment at HMX 1 for helicopter pilots VH60 and VH3 training is taught at Quantico by Sikorsky CFIs since the aircraft are not in the Marine Corps fleet inventory Flight training devices for both the VH3D and VH60N are also located there for initial and refresher training so all training is completed in house by HMX 1 It is typically a 3 year process for new Marine pilots to work through the aircraft in HMX 1 They must learn the aircraft and mission well to become White House Aircraft Commanders with some moving on to the hollowed responsibility of Marine One Pilot for the President of the United States Normally by the time pilots are aircraft commanders flying the President they have accumulated approximately 2500 flight hours When selected commanders of HMX 1 must have served previously in HMX 1 to be considered for the Sikorsky S92 won the honors to replace the VH3D Presidential helicopter in 2014 The company flew the 1st test article to its refit facility in Dec 2014 to begin the S92 s transformation into the new VH92

View the Covers and the Table of Contents pages from every issue of this publication, all gathered together for easy browsing. Just flip pages and zoom as you normally do to see each issue's Cover and Table of Contents, then follow links directly to interesting content.